Modular intermodal transport container, frame support and system of use

ABSTRACT

The invention herein pertains to an adjustable modular intermodal container system having a size and shape that is adjustable to be adaptable to various different types of intermodal vehicles within regulatory parameters. The containers are stackable, whose shapes may be interchangeable and expandable. The containers provide multipurpose application to any variety of products contained therein.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This nonprovisional utility patent application claims priority benefit of and incorporates by reference the full and complete disclosure of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/975,477, originally filed on Apr. 4, 2014.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The invention herein pertains to a modular intermodal transport container with multi product containment and support capability.

2. Background of Invention

Intermodal freight transport involves the transportation of freight in an intermodal container or vehicle, using multiple modes of transportation (rail, ship, and truck), without any handling of the freight itself when changing modes. The method reduces cargo handling, improves security, reduces damage and loss, and allows freight to be transported faster. Reduction in cost and environmental impact may be managed by improvement to transport time, use of transport space and distances traveled.

There are 17 million intermodal containers in the world of various types to meet particular cargo needs. Several of the varieties include refrigerated units, framed tanks, open top units, collapsible units, bin-lined containers, pressurized units, etc. Standard intermodal transport containers (which includes among may freight container, ISO container, shipping container, hi-cube container, box, conex box and sea scan) are subject to parameter restrictions. Permitted length may range between 8′ to 56′ and permitted heights between 8′ to 9.5′. Common container height is approximately 8.5′ high. Aggregate container capacity is often expressed in twenty foot equivalent units (TEU), a unit volume capacity equal to one standard 20′ by 8′ container. Taller units (high cube unit designs) are 9.5′ by 10.5′ in dimension. Forty foot long containers are the standard unit length where larger size containers are stacked by method of coupling.

The logistical challenge faced in the industry of intermodal transport concerns the ability to locate proper space and vehicle accommodations for en route transfer of a particular type of freight material over long distances. Many factors are considered in this process, including those such as container dimension, freight volume and weight, freight attributes, proper mode of transportation, compatibility of mixed freight, available space and regulatory requirements. The shape and size of containers being what they are places the burden on vehicles to provide optimum space and flexible accommodation. For example, stackable container carried on a first platform may not meet stacking rules on a second platform due to its size. An empty container that is en route for return can take up as much space as a full container, wasting potential shipping space and opportunity. Alternatively, a pressurized containment system may require special vehicle accessories that can generate and manage this type of environment. As such, compatible resources are more difficult to locate. The plurality of factors that affect ease of transport eventually detracts from efficiency and cost reduction. A great amount of opportunity and resources are currently lost or wasted because of the inability to adjust freight parameters to fit accessible accommodations. Heavy regulatory restrictions have created niche transport and containment systems to facilitate smoother and quicker movement of freight. The result is a wide variety of non-compatible containment systems.

The existing art provides only for containers with predetermined size and shape. U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,974 discloses an inflatable liner that accommodates food grade material for intermodal transport. This invention having a loose and malleable structure, fitting within a final rigid container of predetermined size. The problem identified in this disclosure is not resolved by this invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,543,951 provides for a securing frame structure for an arrangement of stackable containers. As with U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,974, the container and structure herein is of predetermined nonadjustable size. As such logistical accommodations must conform to inherent limitations of container dimension and design, not addressing the problems identified herein.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,375 attempts to provide a more uniform method of securing and stacking multiple tiers of cargo containers. In this case, the invention is a single linear frame structure that interconnects two layers of containers. This frame structure is designed with box type containers in mind, failing to address the issues presented herein.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,981,083, 6,401,983 and U.S. Application Nos. 20130004272, 20130001224 each claim material handling containers with securing frame supports. The claimed art are limited to predetermined sized containers with preference to standard box like shape. The issues raised herein remain unsolved.

There remains a need in the industry to effectively address the problems experienced and noted above.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention herein pertains to an intermodal material transport container and system of use, said container and system are multi-use in nature, with supportive frame structure to facilitate intermodal transport. The container comprises a bottom portion, a top portion and one or more optional middle extension portion. The bottom portion comprises a base enclosure with a closable opening, a surrounding side wall and a top open rim. The top portion comprises a top enclosure with a closable opening, a surrounding side wall, and a bottom open rim attachable (either removably or permanently) to the top open rim of the bottom portion. The middle extension portion comprises a surrounding side wall, an open bottom rim and an open top rim. The open bottom rim of the middle extension portion is either removably or permanently attachable to the top open rim of the bottom portion and, said open top rim of the middle extension portion removably or permanently attachable to the bottom open rim of the top portion. Said container, comprising the combination of said portions, may be seated in upright vertical position or sideways horizontal position on a cargo vehicle.

This invention provides an adjustable modular containment system. Height and volume may be adjusted by adding or removing sectional pieces. The bottom portion comprises a sectional piece of standard predetermined size and shape, defining the overall cross sectional design and dimension of each container. Ideally the standardized cross sectional size of the container may serve a common factor for determining space accommodation between transport vehicle platforms for logistical transfer arrangements. This is an important aspect of the invention because space accommodation on transport vehicles is limited by regulation. There is only so much lateral space available on any particular type of transport vehicle and therefore, size (height and width), weight and volume of containers must conform to this constant parameter.

Total height for volume of material transported on a particular vehicle may be greater for a particular mode of transportation and transport channel (higher stacking limits on a boat as oppose to train or truck). Similarly, total length may also be adjustable for the particular environment when said container is positioned in sideways horizontal manner. There is opportunity to recapture, maximize and adjust use of space to which this invention attempts to achieve.

Total volume may be adjusted by adding or removing middle sectional pieces. This is useful for space saving purposes, for example after containers are emptied and shipped for return. A forty foot container may be compacted downward by removing middle sectional pieces, creating space that otherwise would have been fully occupied. Alternatively, a forty foot drum volume full of material may be divided into two smaller twenty foot containers to create more flexible handling and shipment arrangements. Total length or height of any container of this invention can be adjusted to the highest regulatory limit (for total stackable or single container height), which will be different depending on the industry and type of vehicle. Structural soundness of the container at any given height and width will depend on its composition and design.

Another feature of this invention is the interchangeable top portion that is modular in nature to accommodate variable needs and to provide multi-use application. The top portion comprises different shapes and designs, fitting into any of the lower portions of the container. One embodiment comprises a top portion or top cover having a slight conical shape and a closable hatch directing flowable material into the container with ease and with minimal disturbance. An inverted conical shape may be designed into the bottom portion, matching the conical shape of the top portion, allowing a nesting effect for stacking purposes. Openings or hatches in the top and bottom portions additionally allow for concurrent filling of material through the stacked containers. This semi-automated dispensing method will minimize handling, error and injury. This is particularly useful in the handling and transport of flowable material such as coal, frac sand and grain where the integrity of each particle is to be considered. Providing a conical shape at both first and second end also helps equalize pressure in a pressurized containment system for sideways positioning. The ability to modularize the top portion of the container relative to variations in more standardized lower portions of the containers present many opportunities for improved adaptability, efficiency and flexibility in shipping and handling.

Additional elements may be attached to or designed into the top portion. For example, certain type of material such as grain or corn may require aeration and moisture control. As such, the top portion may include features that facilitate movement of air and moisture control within said container (i.e. conjoined tube piping between two or more adjacently conjoined containers having at least one aerator located at the bottom of at least one of multiple conjoined containers to facilitated air circulation). Alternative design options for the top portion may include a straight forward planar cover for the simple purpose of retaining material during transport at variable speed or weather. Although any segment of the container (top, side, bottom, inside or outside surfaces) may have attachments specific to a particular need, the top portion is unique in that it is modularized in its design to accommodate the interfacing needs of the containers for purposes of dispensing, storage and shipping a particular type of material.

The standard channels of transport and type of transfer vehicles dedicated to intermodal material container shipping is fairly defined. Motor vehicle transport through interstate roadways must conform to federal, State and local level restrictions. International transport is further subject to international rules and treaties. Much of the regulation over roadway and transport pertain to weight distribution and size requirement of the vehicles and containers held thereon (width and height) for purposes of preserving the integrity of roadways and bridges. Additional regulation may exist for the type of material held within, primarily with the concern over public safety and health. Similar concerns are abound for alternative mode of shipping including, but not limited to railway and waterway transportation. Heavy regulation over this industry has created standardized vehicles and platforms capable of meeting the variety of channel transport rules. Claim limitations and scope as to size, height, volume and weight dimensions of this invention can be calculated to match known standard parameters for transport vehicles and regulation within the industry. The predictability and flexibility in scalable size of the invention herein allows containers to more readily adapt to any variety of transport scenarios. According to this invention, several standard diameters may be established for the bottom portion of the container while total volume and height being adjustable to maximize material load transferred and carried between vehicles. Variety of options in the top portion multiplied against variety of options in the bottom portion now provides greater choice in multi-use containers that conform to standard requirements.

For example, a standard cargo truck platform of approximately one hundred and two (102) inches wide and 53 feet long may be capable of carrying six containers with maximum diameter of one hundred and two (102) inches. In this case, six single containers of the maximum diameter (102 inches or 8.5 feet) may be placed side by side in a single lateral layer of containers on the given platform and stacked seven lateral layers high. Alternatively, a single container comprising a maximum diameter of 102 inches may be stacked 53 feet long, positioned sideways along the length of said cargo truck platform. The containers may be stacked in an empty state before filling with top and bottom latches open to receive a single flow of material prior to transport. This simplifies labor and decreases preparation time.

Alternatively, the containers may be 102 inches wide and doubled in height with attachment of optional middle sections and later collapsed by half its size upon emptying to conserve on space for its return. The total volume and height of the container(s) may be adjusted by adding or removing sectional pieces. The combination of both stacking and sectional height adjustment may be applied to achieve optimum use of space and regulatory compliancy.

An additional element of the invention herein includes a rigid frame support structure that is adjustable to the number of containers held therein. Said frame support structure is designed to hold one or more lateral layer of container(s), each lateral layer comprising one or more containers adjacently positioned. Multiple lateral layers of containers may be stacked above each other within one larger frame structure. Said larger frame structure in this case separated by rigid horizontal platforms with allowances for the dimension of the particular lateral layer held therein. The overall frame structure comprising top, bottom, and side portions providing rigid panel support that encompass three or more sides of a lateral layer of container(s). The frame support and the container held therein may be positioned vertically or horizontally on a carrier platform. The rigid material preferably made of steel or any equivalent that is sturdy, rigid, durable against weather, and malleable against high force to avoid cracking. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom portion forming the base of the frame structure providing a securing element in the form of a seat or cradle for containers with curved or rounded bottoms. This helps to secure the rounded style container against shifting movement during transport. Said frame support should be tightly spaced to provide little or no space between the container and the frame panels. The frame support providing additional means for securing and attaching the containers to the vehicle platform with minimum threat of damage to the containers. The containers should preferably conform to ISO regulation for transport and handling purposes.

The securing element between the frame support structure and container need not be located at the bottom base portion and may alternatively be located to the sides or the top of the frame support. The purpose of the securing element is to eliminate shifting movement during transport. The securing element may comprise additional rigid frame like components such as a cradle described above. Alternatively, the securing element may comprise a latch component, a hook and ring component, a cushioning component, or any other known type of element that holds the container tightly in place within the frame and prevents shifting or loose lateral movement during transport.

Other features, advantages, and object of the present invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention herein.

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention herein.

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention herein.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention herein.

FIG. 5A is a front plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention herein.

FIG. 5B is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention herein.

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or manner.

A preferred embodiment of the invention herein according to FIG. 1, illustrating one variation of the invention herein comprising a multi-use intermodal material handling container 100 comprising a supporting frame 101, said support frame attached to a cradle 102 at its bottom surface, one or more container 103 fitting onto said cradle 102 within the interior space of said supporting frame 101, said container 103 comprising three portions: a bottom portion 103 a, an optional middle adjustable portion 103 b and a top portion 103 c. Said bottom portion 103 a may be removably attachable to the cradle 102 within said frame 101, but is preferably attached in a permanent manner (i.e. welding) to achieve a desired level of security against shifting during transport. This may be necessary when handling heavier material (i.e. coal, frac sand, etc.) where shifting poses a greater risk of harm and hazard. Alternatively, lighter material may utilize a detachable combination of support frame and container system. The frame support and container should comprise of steel or its equivalent that is sturdy, rigid, durable against weather, and malleable against high force to avoid cracking.

The container 200 is adjustable by either adding or removing middle sectional pieces 201. The cross sectional shape of top 202, middle 201 and bottom portions 203 should be identical to enable a thread connection, clean and easy latch connection, clean welding or any means for a clean and closed interconnection between sections. According to the preferred embodiment herein FIG. 3, 300, the purpose of which is for carrying heavy flowable earth material, all interconnecting joints or lines 301 a, 301 b are welded in place in a manner that cannot be broken or cracked. The container 300 welded onto the frame 302 will have the secure physical effect of a solid single container rather than a combination of removable pieces. This provides greater sturdiness against shifting or stacking weight during transport, with more secure coupling effect when stacked over each other.

According to one of the preferred embodiments described herein FIG. 4, the frame support 400 comprising four vertical steel beams 401 (standard ten inch I-beams) having a top 402 a and bottom end 402 b positioned opposite of each other from four sides forming a rectangular space. Four lateral beams 403 interconnecting with each other and the vertical beams at the top end 402 a and four lateral beams interconnecting with each other and the vertical beams at the bottom end 402 b forming a hollow open rectangular frame. The connecting points between the lateral 403 and vertical beams 401 are welded with additional gusset support. In one instance, the gusset support 404 comprising quarter inch thick A36 steel plates. The rectangular frame having a bottom side 405, a top side 406, a right 407 and left 408 side and a front and rear side. The bottom side of the frame further welded to two hollow rectangular tubes 409 that are in parallel position perpendicular to the length of the frame. The tubes 409 are hollow through from the front to the rear end of the frame and are preferably two inch by four inch in rectangular shape. This hollow tubing 409 allows each container to be lifted and moved by mechanical fork lifting means. Said hollow tubing 409 may not necessarily be positioned at the bottom side of the container but is most practically positioned there for fork lift handling. An equivalent style receiver may be positioned on other sides of the container if utilizing a different method or tool for handling.

The hollow tubing when positioned on the bottom side of the frame support provides surface area to which attachments such as a cradle 410 may be welded onto. In this case, a hollow circular cradle 410 comprising steel material is welded directly onto the lateral beams 403 a,b and hollow tubing 409. The diameter of the ring should be proportional to hold a cylindrical container 411 at its base with allowances for the container to taper and end no further than the exterior surface of said frame. The container 411, when seated on the cradle 410 within the frame 400 should be flushed against the exterior surface of the frame at all sides to avoid damage to the container during use. However, latches may open beyond the exterior surfaces of the frame and container for purposes of filling or releasing material in between transport or storage.

A hollow container FIG. 5A, 500 comprising a base portion 501, optional middle portion and a top portion 502, each portion interconnectable with each other between their respective top 502 and bottom ends 501 of their side walls. The side walls of the hollow container comprising a rigid durable steel material. According to one example of the preferred embodiment, the bottom portion 501 is tapered in a round or funnel shape having a hatch release or release valve 503 such that, when the hatch 503 is in an open position, the tapered bottom facilitates complete gravity release of flowable material held within. Either interior or exterior sides of the bottom portion side wall accommodating attachments for the specific needs of the particular material held (i.e. an aeration element and air facilitation tubing).

The container 500 may alternatively comprise other design forms and shapes. The fact that it is separately held within a frame 504 allows the shape of the containers to be variably designed to specific needs while meeting standard shipping requirements which are satisfied by the frame support design. The containers' bottom portion may alternatively have a releasable flat bottom surface, single edge angled surface, etc. Multiple containers may further be interconnected with hollow tubing 505 either at the top, middle or bottom portion to enable a centralized venting and temperature control system. These variations to the bottom shape and design of the container accommodating more typical or popular material handling requirements introduces interchangeable multi-use application, widening the niche aspect of this industry.

The top portion of the container similarly incorporates variable design to accommodate the variety of requirements and scenarios encountered with material handling and containment. According to one embodiment of this invention FIGS. 500A and 500B, at least two top portions adjacently interconnected by a hollow tube to allow flow of air throughout both containers. Said top portion 502 of each container having a tapered end in a curved dome or inverted funnel shape. The top portion further having an closable opening 506 that is positioned directly over the bottom opening FIG. 6, 600 such that when one container is stacked above another 600, material will flow between the stacked containers with minimum or no spill. In one preferred embodiment, the top portion is welded onto the portion below for a permanent effect. Said top portion is further welded onto the frame support for greater security to handle heavier loads. An optional middle section may be connected between the top and middle portion in permanent fashion (alternatively in removable non permanent manner) to meet the desired height and volume parameter.

According to one embodiment of this invention, the frame support FIG. 500A conforming to ISO dimensions comprising 240.11 inch length (or alternatively 136 length) and 102 inch width. The cradle element 507 being approximately 30 inches high from the interior surface of the bottom side upward. The cradle element welded directly onto the interior surface of the bottom side of the frame. The cradle element further having a central open diameter at its top end of 100 inches that can accommodate a 100 inch wide container. The dimension of this specific frame support 509 is sufficiently long to accommodate two 100 inch wide containers 508 of any variation in height and volume. The specific container herein may serve as both an intermodal container and pressure differential/pneumatically loadable container system. The shape of this specific embodiment enables pressurization at 15 psi during unloading of the container. A hose or tube 505 may be connected between the two adjacent containers within the particular frame support wherein one container is connected to the truck air delivery system and the second container experiences the same air pressure during the unloading process.

It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions or particular construction material indicated herein is solely provided as examples of suitable configurations and is not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation details.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described by way of summary, detailed description and illustration. The specific embodiments disclosed in the above drawings are not intended to be limiting. Implementations of the present invention with various different configurations are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

We claim the following invention:
 1. An intermodal material transport container comprising a bottom portion, a top portion and one or more adjustable middle portion said bottom portion comprising a surrounding side wall with a top rim and bottom rim, said bottom rim enclosed with a base, said top rim is open, said top portion comprising a surrounding side wall with a top rim and bottom rim, said top rim having a cover, said bottom rim is open, said bottom rim of said top portion fittingly connectable to said top rim of said bottom portion, said adjustable middle portion comprising a surrounding side wall, a bottom rim and top rim, said bottom and top rims are open, said bottom rim of said adjustable middle portion fittingly connectable to said top rim of said bottom portion.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. Said intermodal material transport container of claim 1 wherein total size and volume may be increased or decreased by adding or removing one or more adjustable middle portions.
 5. Said modular intermodal transport container of claim 1 wherein the widest cross sectional width of said bottom portion is no greater than 102 inches.
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. Said intermodal material transport container of claim 1 comprising durable nonbrittle material such as plastic, metal, fiberglass, organic material including wood and bamboo, and combinations thereof.
 9. The maximum diameter of each said intermodal material transport container of claim 1 being no greater than the width of the intermodal transport vehicle platform that it is seated on.
 10. Said intermodal transport container of claim 1 comprising one or more top, bottom or adjustable middle portions containing a sharable channel or vent for access to common resources such as air, liquid, pressure and temperature.
 11. One or more intermodal material transport container of claim 1 secured within a support frame structure and is positionable on a vehicle transport platform in vertical or horizontal manner.
 12. Said fixture means of claim 11 comprising a seating element permanently and centrally connected to said support frame wherein said bottom portion of said container is securely and permanently seated over and connected to said seating element such that no lateral movement occurs during and between transport of said containers within said support frames.
 13. modular intermodal material transport system comprising an intermodal material transport container having a removably connectable bottom, top and adjustable middle portion such that the size and volume of said intermodal material transport container is adjustable by adding or removing said bottom, top or adjustable middle portion.
 14. Said modular intermodal material transport system of claim 13 wherein said intermodal material transport container is positionable either vertically or horizontally on a transport vehicle platform.
 15. Said modular intermodal material transport system of claim 13 wherein said bottom, top and adjustable middle portion comprising a plurality of shapes that are interconnectable at their matching rim.
 16. The cover of said top portion and bottom portion according to claim 1 comprising any variety of shapes.
 17. Said top portion and bottom portion of claim 1 each having a closeable opening.
 18. Said top portion, bottom portion and adjustable middle portion of claim 1 each comprising a side wall, one or more open rim and a closeable opening. 